By AppHub Editorial Team · Updated August 3, 2026
TextNow: Call + Text Unlimited
Overview
Communication
TextNow, Inc.
Free
Sep 1, 2012
26.8.0.0
9
$0.29 - $99.99 per item
No
Feb 23, 2026
Features
Call and text for free with TextNow, the free phone service with over 100 million users. Get nationwide coverage with unlimited talk and text, plus 5G data—starting at $0/month, and low-cost international calling. Staying connected doesn’t have to be expensive — even with a second line.
What makes us different?
Call and text for free with TextNow, the free phone service with over 100 million users. Get nationwide coverage with unlimited talk and text, plus 5G data—starting at $0/month, and low-cost international calling. Staying connected doesn’t have to be expensive — even with a second line. What makes us different?
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Ratings breakdown
1,590,000 reviewsDeveloper contact
Name
Textnow, Inc.
Address
420 Wes Graham Way Waterloo, ON N2L 0J6 Canada
Website
http://www.textnow.comPhone
+1 226-476-1578
Support
community@textnow.com
Privacy
View policyFrequently Asked Questions
Is TextNow truly free to call and text? high
Yes, the app offers free nationwide talk and text over Wi-Fi. The description states it has 'no phone bill, no fixed contracts, and no hidden fees.' One recent 5-star reviewer confirms the app is 'actually free' with 'no strings attached.' However, one reviewer noted that ads appear after calls and certain features require a $1.99/week subscription.
Source: app_metadata, user_reviews
Why are my calls not connecting on TextNow? medium
Two recent reviewers report call connection failures. One reviewer states calls 'will not go out' even when right next to a strong Wi-Fi router, while another says both incoming and outgoing calls fail to connect and hang up immediately. This appears to be a recurring issue for some users in the recent sample.
Source: user_reviews
Does TextNow have ads? high
Yes, the app includes ads. The app description states it is free because it is supported by 'in-app ads' and that ads 'won't interrupt your experience.' However, one 3-star reviewer complains about ads 'popping up after almost every call.' The description also notes that users can purchase a subscription to remove them.
Source: app_metadata, user_reviews
Can I get a second phone number with TextNow? high
Yes. The app description highlights that you can 'get a free local phone number or keep your own for a private second line or business use.' A recent 3-star reviewer also confirms it is a 'good app to have if you need a second number fast for work purposes or personal reasons.'
Source: app_metadata, user_reviews
How to Use
TextNow is a free calling and texting app that provides a second phone number and optional SIM card for nationwide coverage over Wi-Fi or cellular data. (app_description)
Getting Started
Source: app_description_and_user_feedback_noted
- Download the TextNow app from the Google Play Store.
- Open the app and create an account or sign in. Reviewers note this process is easy.
- Select a free local phone number from the available area codes, or port your existing number.
- To make calls and texts over Wi-Fi or mobile data, grant the app necessary permissions.
- (Optional) Order a TextNow SIM card from the app or website for service without needing Wi-Fi.
Key Features (from app listing)
Source: app_description
- Free nationwide talk and text over Wi-Fi or with a TextNow SIM card.
- Get a free local phone number for a second line or business use.
- Flexible data plans: daily, weekly, or monthly unlimited data options.
- Low-cost international calling to over 230 countries, with free calls to Mexico and Canada.
This tip addresses the recurring 'call connection failures' con (from recent_reviews #4 and #5) and includes a troubleshooting step mentioned by another reviewer (recent_reviews #2) for a different but software-related issue.
How this content was created
Content type: pattern_analysis_of_user_reviews_and_metadata
AI generated: Yes
- Google Play user reviews (12-20 preferred; may be smaller if source data is limited per app), January 2025 to February 2026
- Google Play ratings distribution
- App Store listing metadata
- Review samples are not statistically representative of all user sentiment.
- Only 5 recent reviews were available for analysis; no high-engagement or mixed bucket reviews were provided.
- Claims labeled 'low confidence' are based on single-review observations only.
- No real-world app testing was conducted.
- Feature availability may vary by region, device, and app version.
- The ratings distribution was not available for contextualization.
Pros & Cons
Based on analysis of Google Play user reviews
Pros
- Free calling and texting service that actually works without hidden fees or contracts.
Theme 'Free and reliable service' identified in recent_review #3
Evidence (1)
“a wonderful service and app. Very easy to use and verify and one of the few "free calling and text" apps that are actually free.”Rating: 5★ February 24, 2026 17 likes - TextNow SIM card provides reliable connectivity without Wi-Fi for calls and texts.
Theme 'SIM card reliability' identified in recent_review #3
Evidence (1)
“The TextNow sim is also a godsend. Again, very easy to install and set up. There are literally no strings attached with their service”Rating: 5★ February 24, 2026 17 likes - Affordable optional upgrades like ad-free and data plans at a fair price.
Theme 'Affordable upgrades' identified in recent_review #3
Evidence (1)
“you can choose to add additional perks to the existing flex plan such as ad free and the ability to browse the web and social media for a extremely fair price”Rating: 5★ February 24, 2026 17 likes
Cons
- Intrusive ads appear after almost every call, disrupting the user experience.
Theme 'Intrusive ads' identified in recent_review #1
Evidence (1)
“You get ads popping up after almost every call.”Rating: 3★ January 13, 2025 1,281 likes - Frequent call connection failures and app freezing, making the service unreliable.
Theme 'Call reliability issues' identified in recent_review #5
Evidence (1)
“calls in and out do not connect, then it hangs up. It doesn't matter if it's a local number or a toll free number. app freezes constantly”Rating: 1★ January 07, 2026 122 likes - Free accounts risk temporary number suspension if used for many calls.
Theme 'Number suspension risk' identified in recent_review #1
Evidence (1)
“If your job requires lots of calls, you will temporarily have your number dropped/suspended while free.”Rating: 3★ January 13, 2025 1,281 likes
Recent Reviews
Kate (Reyoko)
3★Good app to have if you need a second number fast for work purposes or personal reasons. However, there are caveats to it. 1) You get ads popping up after almost every call. 2) Certain features are only given once subscribed to 'lock in' for $1.99 Per Week. 3) If your job requires lots of calls, you will temporarily have your number dropped/suspended while free. 4) Latest bug includes freezing mid-call and won't hang up until you uninstall-reinstall the app.
RthorOfTheHillPpl
1★TextNow has worked great for me up until the last few weeks. Every time someone sends me a url now, I only get the text and no hyperlink. This has never been an issue in the past. My attempts and trying to find a solution to this issue have been fruitless and quite frustrating. I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling the app, logging out then logging back in, and even clearing the cache for the app in my phone's settings, all to no avail. If this is fixed somehow, I'd gladly give 5 stars...
Justin Mata
5★a wonderful service and app. Very easy to use and verify and one of the few "free calling and text" apps that are actually free. The TextNow sim is also a godsend. Again, very easy to install and set up. There are literally no strings attached with their service (you can choose to add additional perks to the existing flex plan such as ad free and the ability to browse the web and social media for a extremely fair price). Through the TextNow sim card you can pretty much call and text anywhere.
Monica Wells
1★I HATE THIS APP! Years ago, it worked fine. Not anymore! I can have full wifi bars, be right beside my router, and calls still will not go out! Then, you have the gall to let us know that we can pay for no ads? I'm a little more concerned about no phone service. The ad said we could pay to upgrade ads-free? My first thought was,'Why?! Why would I pay for something that doesn't perform correctly on its most basic level?!' Maybe I'll just get a free govt phone. I heard they actually work.....
DancingFox
1★calls in and out do not connect, then it hangs up. It doesn't matter if it's a local number or a toll free number. app freezes constantly and will not let me switch between bluetooth, speaker and handheld. this is the only way I can get or make calls. I am so frustrated with these apps, any app, that does this repeatedly, seeing comments of similar nature and no updates to the app.